Stewards are currently being sought for four historic lighthouses in the area, including one in Cheboygan County.

The U.S. General Services Administration has announced it is looking for stewards of several historic lighthouses in an effort to save tax dollars while preserving the past.

As part of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act program, the agency is offering four historic lighthouses in Michigan, at no cost, to eligible state or local governments, non-profit corporations, historic preservation groups, or community development organizations.

The lighthouses include the Poe Reef Light, built in 1929, in Cheboygan County; the Gray’s Reef Light, built in 1891, in Emmet County; the Round Island Passage Light, built in 1948, located in Mackinac County; and Martin Reef Light, built in 1927, also located in Mackinac County.

The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act program helps the government cut real estate costs by more $1.5 billion, with the General Services Administration on track to save $3.5 billion by the end of the year.

“GSA has a responsibility to dispose of excess government real estate assets, including historic lighthouses,” said General Services Administration’s Great Lakes Regional Administrator Ann P. Kalayil. “Historic lighthouses are unique in that they have sentimental and tangible value as historic landmarks in local communities. Through the preservation program, GSA helps find new stewards for lighthouses that are no longer considered mission critical to the United States Coast Guard.”

In partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Interior-National Park Service, the General Services Administration administers the federal program that conveys historic lighthouses to caretakers through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. Since enactment of this legislation in 2000, 92 lighthouses have been conveyed to new stewards who are required to maintain historic preservation standards for these unique properties.

Organizations interested in acquiring one of the lighthouses will have 60 days to submit a letter expressing interest in the property and complete a rigorous application process.

All lighthouses are offered “as-is” and “where-is,” without representation, warranty, or guarantee as to quality, quantity, title, character, condition, size or kind. If no suitable steward is identified, the lighthouses are then auctioned to the general public. Proceeds from the public sales go back into the Coast Guard’s lighthouse fund to continue preservation and maintenance of lights that are still in federal ownership.

For more information on these properties and how to submit a letter of interest, visit www.nps.gov/history/maritime/nhlpa/nhlpa.htm.

For more information about GSA’s Real Property Utilization and Disposal program, visit www.gsa.gov/realpropertydisposal